A smarter way to bet

COLUMBIA, Mo.(AP) -- The Big 12 has plenty of elite defensive
linemen - Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick and Texas'
Sergio Kindle to name a few.

It may be time to add Missouri freshman Aldon Smith to the list.

Smith's three sacks of Colorado's Tyler Hansen in the Tigers'
36-17 win last week gave the Raytown, Mo., native eight for the
season - the most in the nation for a freshman and just three
shy of Justin Smith's - no relation- single-season Missouri
record.

Smith has four regular-season games remaining to try and get the
record, starting Saturday when the Tigers (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) host
Baylor (3-5, 0-4).

He also leads all freshmen with 13 tackles for a loss. He's
third overall among Big 12 defensive linemen with 43 tackles,
trailing only Crick and Suh.

Those are impressive numbers for a player who began the season
second on the depth chart at defensive end. It wasn't long
before he moved into the starting role.

Teammates and coaches have been impressed.

"He's one of the best players around that I've seen at Mizzou,"
senior linebacker and captain Sean Weatherspoon said. "He
doesn't know how good he can be, but he'll find out soon that
the sky's the limit."

Smith's effort has drawn high praise from coach Gary Pinkel, who
compared Smith's ability to adapt to those of two standout
offensive players from the recent past.

"He could be in the wrong place at the wrong time and end up
where the ball was supposed to be, somehow, someway," Pinkel
said. "Brad Smith and J-Mac (Jeremy Maclin) could do that."

Even in the Tigers' 41-7 loss to Texas, Smith managed to turn
heads with 11 tackles, four for a loss, and two sacks.

At 6-5 and 255 pounds, Smith is the tallest player on the
Missouri defense and his unique athleticism makes him a menace
for opposing offensive lines.

"He's very physically gifted," defensive coordinator Dave
Steckel said. "He can run, he's strong, he can change direction.
He's the whole package."

Smith has also developed a nose for the big play.

"Earlier in the season I was kind of relying on my athleticism
but now I'm actually starting to understand the game a little
bit better and starting to have a feel for it," he said. "I've
just been watching a lot more film and focusing a lot more on
technique."

Coaches have taken note of Smith's strong work ethic.

"All of our players are very hard working," Steckel said. "I
think that's why Aldon is growing and maturing as a player,
because he's working hard, taking coaching, he's growing each
day as he gets better."

With all the hype beginning to surround him, Pinkel spoke to the
importance of keeping Smith levelheaded and ready to play each
and every week.

"What I always tell players, kids that are starting to get that
notoriety that they could be really good is to immerse
themselves in the team," he said. "When you immerse yourself in
your team, you're constantly doing things for the team, getting
better for the team, and it keeps you grounded."